Answer His Call, Tell His Story, Change Your World

God's will entices the faithful toward its discovery. Seekers desire not only His presence, but also His will and His ways. Our earnest peering upon His majesty seeks both His face and His heart. We're not looking for the surface of God, for a reflection of sorts or for an image, but for all of Him. Make no mistake, the longing of a follower for God's direction is a deep yearning. In one's moments of greatest decision, the thirst for His clear revelation, His guidance, feels nearly unquenchable. Locating the center of His will represents the greatest of quests. And, every journey there varies.

The revelation of God's will may burst into one's life like a shooting star, stark and clear against the dark background of the sky, sudden and bold in its appearance, and unmistakeable. At other times, it better resembles the opening of a bud, mundane in its first appearance and unremarkable. But, slowly, it opens. Its grandeur appears at a different pace, delightful in its own right, but far less dramatic. It reveals petal after petal at a subdued rate. All is not visible, initially, its final form not immediately apparent. First, it parades it's color, then gradually displays its extraordinary shape. Once fully unfolded, one marvels at what has just occurred. In either case, followers bask in the lingering majesty of God's movement as they internally replay, over and over, how He spoke to them.

The process by which all of this occurs is remarkable, stunning in itself. I can wish for either. But, God (not I) chooses how He unfolds His plans. He uniquely crafts His revelation to His own purposes and His own glory. I am left to observe, marvel, then obey. Traveling such a path falls to me as a privilege. What wonder God grants me to gaze upon such things. What honor He bestows when He carves out space in His workings to include me, however He does it.

"Almighty God, in wonder and amazement we consider what it means to be included by you... in anything. Thank You for cracking the curtains of heaven and allowing rays of Your glory fall upon us. We enter their pools of light to please You. They transform our lives. Sharpen our vision to see when they fall nearby. Move us always within their boundaries."

﻿C﻿﻿rossi﻿﻿ng the Lines﻿

﻿﻿﻿The ideas behind this blog emerged from my study and preaching of a message I titled ﻿"A Single Step."﻿ It was an unexpected message out of Philippians 2:12-18. I'm the one who was surprised. I had a whole different idea of where the sermon would go. Then, I got into the text and followed it. That led, eventually, to the response by individuals after the message. God worked in me and in our congregation. He's still at work.

﻿This blog strives to motivate and encourage our members to keep on going and to tell their stories. Crossing the Lines in our lives will change us and our world.﻿﻿﻿